The high-end of smartphones is now bigger and more powerful than ever.  Does it mean they're better, too?  We checked out the HTC Amaze 4G to get an answer.

Physically, it's undeniably premium.  The metal shell, sturdy build and soft touch finishes make for a phone you'll never mistake for a dodgy rush job.  It's notably heavy, though, tipping the scales at 6.1 ounces (and, yes,  you'll feel the heft).   The 4.3-inch Super LCD touchscreen (960 x 540 resolution) definitely steals attention, though, with its large size, crisp images and bright display.  We'd say it's a half-step below the Super AMOLED Plus in terms of overall quality, though.

As a phone, the HTC Amaze 4G makes for good calls on both ends.  Voices sounded natural, although we did detect a slight background noise during lulls.  Speakerphone, on the other hand, performed admirably.  In fact, I think I like making calls using the loudspeaker/mic better with this phone better.  Battery is rated at 6 hours of talk time.

Heavy on the features, it comes with quad-band world support, the usual voice and video call options, all the wireless connectivity you can ask for (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, NFC -- well, no LTE, but it has HSPA+), heavy messaging talents and the usual bundle of Google Mobile Services.  It runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, with HTC Sense 3.0 on top.  Notable alterations include the customizable lock screen (which you can fill up with scrolling user content) and the 3D carousel homescreen.

The screen size makes the phone ideal for browsing web sites and watching movies, especially with the dual-core 1.5GHz processor muscling through every video thrown its way.  The 8.0 megapixel camera performed wonderfully in well-lit environments for both stills and 1080p videos.  Indoor shots aren't great, but are still a lot better than many phones I've seen.  The camera app actually bundles a lot of extra features and options, which you'll love if you enjoy playing around with the optics. Built-in storage is 16GB, with expansion slot for a 32GB microSD card.

Priced at $249.99 on a new two year agreement with T-Mobile, the HTC Amaze 4G is, undeniably, more expensive than a lot of phones in the market.  For the price, though, you get a gorgeous 4.3-inch screen, a powerful camera and blazing processor speed.  Plus, the heft will make for excellent paperweight when you need one.

T-Mobile has officially announced two new smartphones into their roster.  Called the LG MyTouch and LG MyTouch Q, the pair of T-Mobile exclusives come aimed at entry-level users.

Both handsets run Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with the usual suite of Google Mobile Services.  Since they're looking to snag first-time smartphone users with these things, they come with a number of custom services designed with novices in mind, such as a Set-Up Wizard, a Tips Widget and a Genius Button for voice commands.

LG MyTouch

Details of the LG MyTouch include a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display, a 5.0 megapixel camera module with 720p video recording, a front-facing videocam with Qik preinstalled), HSPA+, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 1GHz processor and microSD card expansion.  It will be available in two colors, black and white, with release date pegged before the holidays.  No pricing has been announced.

LG MyTouch Q

Details of the LG MyTouch Q include a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display, a slide-out horizontal QWERTY keyboard, a 5.0 megapixel camera module with 720p video recording, HSPA+, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 1GHz processor and microSD card expansion.  Like the keyboard-less counterpart, it's slated for availability before the holidays.   It will come in a different pair of colors, though: gray and violet.   No pricing has been announced.

[T-Mobile]

T-Mobile just announced the first 4G handset from RIM to join its roster.  It's the Blackberry Bold 9900 and it's the thinnest Blackberry ever.

Running the latest version 7 OS, the smartphone pairs all of the platform's best features with high-speed data access for the best experience any Blackberry phone has to offer.  The sleek and streamlined appearance pays a perfect compliment, as well, to the keyboard-cum-touchscreen combo adorning the handset's face.

Details of the Blackberry Bold 9900 include a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display (640 x 480 resolution), a four-row QWERTY keyboard, a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash and 720p recording), aGPS, WiFi, 4G (HSPA+, really), Bluetooth 2.1, 8GB of built-in storage, memory card expansion (up to 32GB) and a 1,230 mAh battery (rated at 6.3 hours of talk time).  Muscle is provided by a 1.2GHz processor, paired with 768MB of RAM.

While the size of the screen is a little small for what most people are now used to, do take note of the resolution -- that 640 x 480 pixels should make for some impressive-looking detail.  Preloaded apps include welcome titles like the latest version of BBM, Facebook for Blackberry and Social Feeds 2.0, as well as T-Mobile's own "may be useful, may be not" bloatware.

The Blackberry Bold 9900 is now available to T-Mobile business customers, but will roll out in full force at the end of the month both online and in stores.  Price is steep, though, at $299.99 on a two-year agreement after a $50 mail-in rebate.

[T-Mobile]

T-Mobile has just announced a new entry-level Android joining its roster.  Called the HTC Wildfire S, it combines a simple design, modest hardware and an affordable price.

The successor to the original Wildfire, this one features a few decent improvements from the original.  Measuring 3.99 x 2.34 x 0.49 inches, it's actually smaller and more pocketable.

Details of the HTC Wildfire S include a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 320 pixel resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash), WiFi, 3G with HSPA, Bluetooth 3.0, aGPS, FM radio, microSD card expansion and a 1230mAh battery module.  Processor is only a slight improvement from the original Wildfire, though, at 600 MHz (its predecessor had a 528 MHz chip), so don't expect blazing speeds.  The muscle is paired with 512MB of RAM.

While the hardware won't exactly whet your appetite, you'll be glad to know that the handset runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread.  HTC Sense, of course, runs on top, along with a slew of preloaded applications.  Unlike most underpowered phones, Flash is reportedly enabled on the browser, but don't expect to enjoy it with such a slow processor.

The HTC Wildfire S will be available in black and white colors starting August 3rd.  Price is $79.99 on a new two-year agreement with T-Mobile.

[via Engadget]

T-Mobile just announced one of their most awaited smartphones.  That will the HTC-made MyTouch 4G Slide, a beast of a handset with some serious hardware onboard.

Like the previous 3G Slide, this one packs a full QWERTY keyboard that you can slide out from the side.  It shares some similarities in design with the 4G-less predecessor, but it's an entirely new phone with slightly better aesthetics in tow.

Details of the MyTouch 4G Slide include a  3.7-inch Super LCD screen (840 x 450 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel camera module, a front-facing webcam, aGPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G and all the usual smartphone jazz.  Muscle is provided by a dual-core 1.2 Ghz processor.   Android 2.3 Gingerbread is the OS of choice, with HTC Sense 3.0 running on top.  Naturally, you get the usual Google suite of apps, along with a collection of software to take advantage of that high-speed broadband access it comes with.

HTC appears to be pimping the handset's 8.0 megapixel camera, which boasts dual LED flash, 1080p video recording and, according to the company, zero shutter lag.  While we doubt they'll kick Nokia's ass when it comes to phone cameras any time soon, we don't see many smartphone users rocking the Finnish company's products either.

The MyTouch 4G Slide will be available beginning July, priced at $199.99 on a new two-year agreement.

[T-Mobile]

Rarely do Nokia smartphones find their way to American carriers these days.  As such, releases like the Nokia Astound on T-Mobile can feel like a treat for fans of the Finnish manufacturer's usually solid hardware offerings.

Physically, it pairs a beautiful design with Nokia's trademark high-quality build.  The durable glass display, stainless steel battery door and strong feel make for a handset that inspires much confidence in its construction.  Display is a 3.5-inch AMOLED  capacitive touchscreen with a 640 x 360 resolution.   While that pales in comparison with most modern smartphone resolutions, the display is ample bright and sharp, with excellent colors.

As a phone, the Astound makes for very good calls, with voices coming through clearly and no background noises interrupting conversation.  The speakerphone sounds a tad tinny, but is definitely better than what a lot of more expensive smartphones offer.  Battery is rated at 5 hours of talk time.

It runs Symbian 3.1, similar to the Nokia N8.  While far from the modern amenities of Android and iOS, it's a decent platform, especially with newer additions like single-tap interaction and a helpful task manager.  Operation is a bit sluggish, though, with noticeable delays when launching applications.

For a mid-range phone, the Astound is ample-stocked with standard features, including quad-band world roaming, various call options, Bluetooth 3.0, 3G with HSPA and WiFi.  Messaging is a strong suite, with SMS, MMS, email (POP3/IMAP, Exchange, Lotus Notes), IM and social networking (via Nokia Social).   The virtual keyboard can feel a bit cramped, however, so if you can work with Swype, it's probably a better option.

You get a number of free apps thrown in, such as Quickoffice, a dedicated YouTube software and Ovi Maps.  It's a pretty good music phone, too, with a capable music player and 8GB of onboard storage.  The 8.0 megapixel camera comes with dual LED flash and manages downright impressive shots.  Suffice to say, the optics are a definite highlight here.

Available from T-Mobile for $79.99 on a two-year agreement, the Nokia Astound is an attractive option if your main consideration is an exceptional camera on a well-made phone.  If you value user experience and enjoy your apps, though, this Symbian 3 handset will probably leave you wanting more.

Just when you thought a classic phone has bid its farewell, a new one comes along to take its place.  That's exactly the case with the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G, which brings the familiar form factor and its killer QWERTY into the modern smartphone age.

Danger has no part in this one, though.  Instead, the handset is built by Samsung and powered by Android 2.2 Froyo, shedding the series' feature phone legacy.  Like other phones in the line, the screen tilts out of the way (it slides, instead of flips up) to reveal a spacious-looking five-row QWERTY keyboard, a trademark that has made it popular among the messaging-heavy crowd.

Details of the T-Mobile Sidekick 4G include a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), a 3.0 megapixel camera, a front-facing VGA webcam and a bevy of wireless connectivity options that include access to T-Mobile's high-speed 4G network.  The 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor should handily keep up with the ultra-fast broadband, as well, getting you speedy operation to go with your top-of-the-line internet speeds.

Messaging has been beefed up with the Group Text and Cloud Text features, on top of the already robust messaging offerings built into Android.  We also love the addition of a jump key, an easy-to-access physical button that lets you quickly switch between active applications (even during calls).  Preloaded software include Facebook and Twitter apps, Qik video chat client, Slacker Radio, YouTube, T-Mobile TV and DriveSmart (an app that replies to your received messages automatically while you're driving).

The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G will come in two styles: matte black and pearl magenta.  No word, however, on release date or pricing.

[T-Mobile]

T-Mobile announced two new budget Android smartphones they've picked up for release soon.  The pair of affordable handsets consist of the recently-unveiled Samsung Galaxy Mini and the T-Mobile Move, a compact device we're hearing about for the very first time.

If you haven't come across the Galaxy Mini before, it's a small touchscreen candybar with some decent specs.  Details include a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen (240 x 320 resolution), 3G with HSPA, WiFi, 150MB of onboard memory and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).

The T-Mobile Move, on the other hand, is an even smaller package, sporting a minuscule screen measuring 2.8 inches (240 x 320 resolution).  Other details include a 2.0 megapixel camera module, 3G with HSPA, 150MB of onboard storage and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB).

Both handsets run Android 2.2 Froyo, powered by a modest 600MHz processor. Price for the Samsung Galaxy Mini will be $75 on contract, while the T-Mobile Move will retail for $50.  No firm release dates were given, but both should be out by Spring.

[via PC World]

While the Motorola Cliq 2 looks like a great phone, it barely got attention during its CES debut.  That's understandable, considering it was on the floor with dual-core smartphones and 4-inch behemoths.  This time, though, we get to inspect it up close.

Physically, it bears the same basic shape and form factor as the original Cliq.  It does appear slimmer because of the sleeker design and it looks just a tad more professional.   Do note that it's quite hefty at 6.17 ounces -- a quality you'll probably have to expect with many of this year's releases.

Display is an ample 3.7-inches (854 x 480 resolution) with excellent color, sharpness and touch responsiveness.  We love the crazy-looking slide-out landscape QWERTY keyboard.  More than the spider web appearance, the large keys and rubbery feel actually make for very comfortable typing.

As a phone, the Motorola Cliq 2 makes for clean and clear calls.  Audio on both ends were very good, albeit nothing exceptional.  It can probably use an extra level of volume for talking in noisy places, though.   Speakerphone is better than average, while the battery is rated for close to 8 hours of talk time.

Android 2.2 Froyo is the build of choice and it has all the usual features you've come to expect.  Like Motorola's other releases, it has Motoblur over the Android installation and that could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your preferences.

The Cliq 2 has all the typical smartphone stuff on board: calling options, basic and advanced messaging, an organizer, aGPS, Bluetooth, WiFi and a heaping of preloaded apps.  It runs on T-Mobile's old 3G network (not the HSPA+ variety), where speeds are actually pretty decent.  A 1GHz processor powers the action, allowing it to breeze through all functions without lag.

A few capabilities not available in all smartphones are thrown in, as well.  It can work as a 3G hotspot and even allows Wi-Fi calling; there's also a better Task Manager (necessary, since Froyo disabled third-party app killers) onboard; a dedicated file manager; and a DLNA app for streaming media over WiFi.

It uses the standard Android media player, so don't expect any improvements on that end.  The  5.0 megapixel camera does take above average snaps -- even indoors where a flash is needed.

Overall, the Motorola Cliq 2 is an excellent phone.  If you can live with the heft, the keyboard is one of the best in the business, while the rest of the device performs at a notably premium level.

Want a 4G phone?  Don't let the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G fool you -- it's not really 4G.  Despite the misleading marketing (it runs on T-Mobile's enhanced HSPA+ network), the device does have plenty of good things going for it.

Physically, we love the slim and simple styling.  The stainless steel parts, soft-touch finish around the edges and sturdy feel make it a real premium handset to hold in your hand.  Sitting on the front panel is a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen (850 x 480), showing clear and sharp displays, with ample brightness and excellent colors.

As a phone, it makes for excellent calls.  Everything sounded rich, with ample volume and superb clarity.  Those on the other end reported similar results.  Speakerphone, however, lacked volume and is hard to use in public places.  Battery is rated at 6.7 hours of talk time.

The handset comes toting Android 2.2 with a custom UI running over it.  We like the interface, although I'm concerned, as always, to the effect it can have on future OS updates.   Powered by a second-generation 1GHz Snapdragon CPU andpacked with features, this is definitely the most advanced model in the MyTouch series and should easily stand among Android devices at the top of the heap.

All the usual smartphone capabilities are onboard, including a slew of voice calling features, quad-band world roaming, basic messaging, Bluetooth, WiFi and aGPS.  As with other Android phones, messaging is robust, with support for email and IM, along with various social networking apps.

HSPA+ speeds are excellent, with plenty of HTML sites loading in under 12 seconds and HQ YouTube videos playing seamlessly after just a couple seconds of buffering.  The big display, coupled with the high-speed connection and Flash 10.1, makes it a really good web browsing phone.  Plus, it can be used as a mobile hot spot with support for WEP and WPA encryption.

We like the Media Room app, which adds just a hint of improvement to the default Android multimedia experience.  All the Google apps are here, too, along with Swype, Nuance Dragon Dictation Voice (for voice commands and dictating your messages), T-Mobile TV and more.  You can also stream content to DLNA-compliant devices.

It has two cameras -- one in the back and another in the front for video calls.  Unfortunately, our attempts at video calling were a dismal failure, to say the least.   The 5.0 megapixel camera, however, took really good outdoor photos.

Overall, the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G is an excellent phone.  It's dripping with features and has the latent power to breeze through most tasks.  Yes, we do expect the video calling issues to be resolved by later updates.  In the meantime, you can get it for $199.99 on a two-year agreement.